Cirsium japonicum, a constituent of traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to exert inflammatory effects as well as to improve the circulation and thus to counteract hematologic stasis. Studies have demonstrated that intermedin (IMD) has protective effects on hypertension in rats by regulating the Ang/NO metabolic pathway. In this study, we investigated whether by regulating the expression of IMD, Cirsium japonicum could improve cardiac function in rats with 2k1c-induced renal hypertension. Renal hypertension was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by occluding the renal artery. The rats were maintained on a normal diet and randomly divided into four groups: sham, 2k1c, 2k1c with Cirsium japonicum (1.8 g/kg per day) and 2k1c with IMD (n = 10 in each group). Cardiac function, plasma angiotensin II (Ang II), IMD, serum nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), as well as the expression of IMD and adrenomedullin (ADM) in the aorta and left ventricle were analyzed. Administration of Cirsium japonicum or IMD significantly strengthened cardiac function in 2k1c-induced rats, increased serum NO and NOS levels, reduced plasma Ang II, and upregulated IMD expression in the aorta and left ventricle. These results demonstrate that Cirsium japonicum has cardioprotective effects on 2k1c-induced renal hypertension in rats via the IMD/NO pathway.

This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regimen, it is advisable to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.